Six-minutes in the spotlight for charity

THREE charitable organisations are set to benefit from a new crowdfunding event driven by the Ballarat Foundation.

Hosted by ABC Radio Melbourne’s Jacinta Parsons, Pitch Up Ballarat will see representatives of Eureka Mums, Ballarat Men’s Mental Health, and the Foundation’s Housing Support Fund present, or pitch, their projects to an audience at the Regent Cinemas.

During their six-minute speech, the charities will aim to capture the funding support of community members and groups.

Ballarat Foundation CEO Andrew Eales said the organisation is excited to get creative with this new form of fundraising.

“This is a fantastic way for the community to show their support for organisations that are doing great and important work in our community, and we’d really love to see everyone get behind it and come along on the night,” he said.

Stacey Oliver will present the pitch for the Ballarat Foundation’s Housing Support Fund which backs agencies working to help those experiencing homelessness and to boost housing stock.

“We know how generous Ballarat is in providing support for charities in need, so it’s very exciting to be part of this new approach to crowdfunding,” she said.

“In developing our pitch, I’ve been talking to a man called Jeremy who has experienced homelessness and is now a support worker with Uniting, and part of the HARC advocacy group.

“Through his lived experience, and experience in the workplace, he understands just how important it is to support the agencies who support people experiencing homelessness.”

BADAC’s A Roof for All, and Wombelano House respite accommodation for families escaping domestic violence, are some of the programs which have been beneficiaries of the Housing Support Fund in the past.

Pitch Up Ballarat is a free event which will be held on Wednesday, 17 Aug at 5.30pm at the Regent Cinemas, with complementary food and refreshments provided on arrival.

Visit bit.ly/3QcIqGX to register attendance.